Lesson 1Adhesive curing times, open time, pot life and temperature/humidity effectsThis part explains glue curing, including open time, pot life, and adjustment time, and how heat, humidity, and base absorption affect workability, bond strength, and safe time to grout or use the area.
Definitions: curing, open time, pot life, adjustabilityReading climate icons and timing on data sheetsEffects of temperature, humidity, and draftsSubstrate absorption and membrane influenceField checks for skinning and ready-to-grout timeLesson 2Waterproofing details for shower corners, floor-to-wall junctions, and window/door revealsThis part covers waterproofing at shower corners, floor-wall joins, and window or door openings, including ready-made bits, reinforcement cloths, and order with drains and thresholds.
Preformed corners, bands, and sealing tapesFloor-to-wall junction buildup and overlapsDetailing around windows, niches, and revealsIntegrating drains, thresholds, and curbsLeak testing and inspection before tilingLesson 3Grout types and selection: cementitious grout, epoxy grout, additives for wet areas and stain resistanceThis part compares cement and epoxy grouts, including extras for wet areas, stain resistance, and flexibility, and how to pick joint widths, colours, and performance for showers and busy wet rooms.
Cementitious grout classes and water resistanceEpoxy grout: benefits, limits, and applicationsAdditives for flexibility, stain and mold resistanceJoint width, color choice, and visual impactCleaning, sealing, and maintenance expectationsLesson 4Backer boards and support systems for walls: cement board, water-resistant gypsum board and fixingsThis part details wall backer choices for wet areas, like cement boards and water-resistant gypsum boards, with tips on framing, fixings, joint treatment, and working with waterproofing and tile glue.
Cement board types, thickness, and applicationsWater-resistant gypsum board: limits and usesFasteners, screw spacing, and framing stiffnessJoint taping, seams, and movement allowancesTransition details to masonry and existing wallsLesson 5Tile selection fundamentals: ceramic tile characteristics, rectified vs non-rectified, tile deformation limitsThis part covers tile picking for wet areas, including ceramic tile features, rectified vs non-rectified edges, bend limits, slip resistance, and how these affect layout, joints, and lasting.
Tile water absorption and suitability ratingsRectified vs non-rectified: pros, cons, tolerancesTile flatness, warpage, and deformation limitsSlip resistance ratings for floors and showersTile size, pattern, and substrate flatness needsLesson 6Waterproofing systems: cementitious, liquid-applied membranes, sheet membranes — where and why to use eachThis part compares cementitious, liquid, and sheet waterproofing, explaining best uses, detailing joins, and avoiding common fails in wet area tiling jobs.
Cementitious membranes: uses, limits, key detailsLiquid-applied membranes: build, coverage, defectsSheet membranes: overlaps, corners, penetrationsChoosing systems for showers, tubs, and wet roomsCompatibility with substrates, adhesives, and groutsLesson 7Recommended tools and consumables tied to materials: notched trowels, mixing paddles, membrane materials, grout float typesThis part links tools and supplies to materials, covering notched trowels, mixing paddles, membrane tools, grout floats, and how right picks improve coverage, sticking, and finish.
Selecting notch size for tile and adhesive typeMixing paddles, drill speeds, and bucket choiceRollers, brushes, and knives for membranesGrout floats for cement and epoxy productsSponges, cleaning tools, and protection filmsLesson 8Adhesive selection for interior wet areas: cementitious polymer-modified thinset types and selection criteriaThis part covers polymer-modified cement thinset types for inside wet areas, explaining performance classes, base and tile factors, and matching glue to job and site conditions.
Thinset classifications and performance ratingsSelecting adhesives for ceramic and porcelain tilesMatching adhesive to substrate and waterproofingSlip resistance, deformability, and vertical workManufacturer data sheets and approval checksLesson 9Movement and perimeter joints: recommended elastomeric sealants and compatibility with tiles and groutThis part explains movement and edge joints in wet areas, including placement, recommended flexible sealants, matching with tiles and grouts, and proper prep and finishing.
Types of movement joints and where to place themPerimeter joints at walls, columns, and fixturesSealant types: silicone, hybrid, and PUJoint backing, bond breakers, and joint depthColor matching and finishing visible sealantLesson 10Tile spacers and joint size considerations: 2 mm walls vs 3 mm floors — implications for movement jointsThis part covers tile spacers and joint sizes, comparing usual 2 mm wall and 3 mm floor joints, and how width affects movement joints, grout work, looks, and fitting tolerances.
Choosing spacer types and sizes for wet areasJoint width vs tile size, edge, and flatnessImpact of joint size on grout cleaning and cracksCoordinating joint layout with movement jointsAdapting joint size to site and substrate limitsLesson 11Primers, bonding agents, and compatibility with different substrates (gypsum, old tile, concrete)This part explains primers and bonding agents for bases like concrete, gypsum, and old tile, focusing on matching with glues and membranes, damp issues, and proper surface prep.
Primer types: acrylic, epoxy, and specializedPriming concrete, screeds, and leveling compoundsTreating gypsum plasters and boards before tilingBonding to existing tile and non-porous surfacesAvoiding incompatibility, re-emulsification, failure
